Vision 2050: Building Bulgaria’s Competitiveness
Through the Global Future

November 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Sofia Event Center

This half-day conference will convene leading experts, business and policymakers, and international partners to examine the driving forces shaping the next decades — from innovation and AI to sustainability, human capital, and national and regional security.

The forum aims to foster dialogue on strategic priorities, share insights on positioning Bulgaria as a resilient, competitive economy, and strengthen transatlantic relations through forward-looking discussion and collaboration. The event will feature keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and exclusive networking opportunities, also marking the 30th Anniversary of AmCham Bulgaria

Main Topics and Agenda

1:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Registration and Welcome Coffee

1:30 – 1:45 p.m. – Opening Session

1:45 – 2:30 p.m. – KEYNOTE SPEAKER

“The 4 Revolutions: Are you Ready? – The Next 10 Years Will Bring More Change Than the Previous 100 Years”

Gerd Leonhard
Futurist, Humanist & Author

I’m a Futurist and a Humanist, and I work as a Keynote Speaker, Advisor and Film-Maker. I have written a few books, as well. In my keynotes, I focus on creating powerful and unique experiences, delivering penny-drop moments and actionable narratives. My credo is “People, Planet, Purpose & Prosperity” and I strive to share foresights and ‘practical wisdom‘ with my audiences. Since 2021, I am an advocate of what I call The Good Future: An optimistic, hopeful and positive and practical view of the immediate future.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – PANEL I: Competitiveness in the Age of AI & Innovation

Dr. Rado Kotorov
Co-founder & CEO
Storied Data Inc.

Dr. Rado Kotorov is a visionary technology executive, entrepreneur, and innovator in analytics, AI, and digital transformation. Formerly Executive Director and CIO of Information Builders, a global technology company backed by Goldman Sachs and acquired by TIBCO, he has led large-scale innovation and product launches that shaped the evolution of modern business intelligence, data management and machine learning. With a Ph.D. in Decision and Game Theory, Dr. Kotorov bridges business and technology to empower organizations with smarter, more intuitive ways to improve decision making and monetize data.

He is the founder of GUUT, known as the “Gutenberg 2.0” for the digital age – a unified platform that transforms how organizations create and share interactive data presentations, reports, and applications. Dr. Kotorov holds multiple patents, is the author of three books and over 100 publications. His work champions digital independence, intelligent automation, and the democratization of data and information distribution in the AI era.

Ryan Cote
Global Technology Leader

Ryan Cote is a Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with more than
30 years of technology leadership experience delivering IT-empowered business solutions that
drive growth and efficiency for high-performing companies. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps,
Ryan has an accomplished background working in the Federal government and businesses of all
sizes, from small and mid-sized businesses to Fortune 100 companies.

Prior to working in the Federal government, Ryan worked at Gartner, Inc., the world’s leading IT Research and Advisory
company. As a CIO Executive Partner, Ryan advised fellow global CIOs through Gartner’s Executive Partners Program.

Vanya Manova
Country Manager Bulgaria, N. Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo
Mastercard

Cezara Panait
Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova
Google

Cezara Panait is a human rights lawyer and digital policy professional with comprehensive knowledge of legal, policy and regulatory issues. She acts as the Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy for Google Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova, showcasing Google’s contribution to the local digital economy, overseeing the tech regulatory landscape and promoting digital upskilling. She is also the AI policy lead for Google in the Central and Eastern European region.

Cezara also serves as AmCham Romania’s Deputy Chair of the Digital Economy Committee.

Moderator: Zhelyazko Petrov
Senior IT Director
Coca-Cola

Zhelyazko Petrov has over two decades of experience in IT and business solutions. As Senior Director, IT Lead of Тhe Coca-Cola Company Global Technology Delivery Center in Sofia, he is managing the delivery of new IT solutions across the globe. 

Zhelyazko emphasizes the importance of innovation and diversity in technology as a key enabler in today’s rapidly changing environment. He advocates for acquiring new skills across all organizational levels to adapt to new ways of work. His strategic vision and extensive experience make him a remarkable leader in driving technological advancements for organizational growth. 

Key Topics:

• How emerging technologies redefine business models and competitiveness
• AI integration and digital economy development in Bulgaria and the region
• Public policy and educational strategies for future readiness

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. – Coffee Break and Networking

4:15 – 5:15 p.m. – Panel II: The Transatlantic Economy Outlook: Geopolitical Trends and Regional’s Strategic Relevance

Daniel Hamilton
Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University SAIS, online

Dr. Daniel S. Hamilton is Senior non-resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution and at the Foreign Policy Institute of Johns Hopkins University SAIS. He serves as President of the Transatlantic Leadership Network. He was the Founding Director of the SAIS Center for Transatlantic Relations. He has served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs; U.S. Special Coordinator for Southeast European Stabilization; and Associate Director of the Policy Planning Staff for two U.S. Secretaries of State. 

Dr. Hamilton’s primary focus of activity is US-European relations, with emphasis also on triangular US-Europe relations with Russia and with China. His publications include (with Joe Quinlan) The Transatlantic Economy (21st annual edition, 2025); Russia’s Imperial Black Sea Strategy; The Transatlantic Community and China; and Europe Whole and Free: Vision and Reality. He has been presented with Germany’s Cross of the Federal Order of Merit, France’s Knighthood of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques, Sweden’s Knighthood of the Royal Order of the Polar Star; and Poland’s Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit. He has a Ph.D. and M.A. with distinction from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and an honorary doctorate from Concordia College

Ajša Vodnik
AmChams in Europe Chair
CEO AmCham Slovenia

Ajša Vodnik built her career at the crossroads of media, leadership, and international business. She spent 14 years in media—first as a journalist, then as editor-at-large and TV host—before launching Paprika TV, a Slovene television station, at the age of 29. As an entrepreneur and leader, she quickly discovered the power of leading with positive energy. After five successful years, Ajša sold her stake in the company and stepped away from the media industry.

Today, Ajša serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Chamber of Commerce in Slovenia. In this role, she oversees advocacy (with more than 380 experts involved across Committees), events (over 50 high-level events annually), and international cooperation. She has also acted as a consultant and leader in several mergers and acquisitions and has supported Slovene companies in expanding their businesses to the United States. 

In 2019, Ajša was elected Vice President of AmChams in Europe, the umbrella organization representing 50 AmChams from 48 European and Eurasian countries.

In 2024, Ajša was elected Chair of AmChams in Europe, taking on a leadership role defined by connection, purpose, and values. She emphasizes that business plays a crucial role in fostering peace and prosperity through collaboration and integrity. Together with the Executive Committee, she led the development of a new strategy that provides a framework for growth and greater impact for AmChams in Europe. 

Moderator: Daniel Kiryakov
Communications & Public Affairs Manager
AmCham Bulgaria

5:15 – 6:15 p.m. – Panel III: Foundations for Sustainable and Resilient Future

Oscar Pratt
Senior Project Director Energy Systems
Westinghouse

Oscar Prat has nearly 20 years of experience in the
energy sector and currently holds the position of
Bulgaria Project Director within Energy Systems. He is
responsible for leading the expansion project at the
Kozloduy site for Westinghouse, where two AP1000® reactors will be
constructed.

Oscar holds a dual degree in Electrical Engineering and Economics from
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an Executive MBA from the University of
North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School. He is a two-time recipient of
the George Westinghouse Signature Award of Excellence.

Emil Angelov
Deputy Chairman of the Management Board
CEO, Glavbolgarstroy Holding

Emil Angelov worked in the banking and financial sector for over 30 years before he joined Glavbolgarstroy Holding in January 2024. Throughout his professional career, he held senior management positions in various Bulgarian and international banking and leasing groups. After 2019, Emil Angelov changed his primary professional focus and switched to the real estate and construction sector again in senior managerial positions.

Angelov has extensive experience in Asset Management, being a founder, board member, and shareholder of one of Bulgaria’s first Asset Management companies, licensed by the Financial Supervisory Commission in 2005. In 2007, he also became a member of the Supervisory Board of Piraeus Bank Ukraine, and in 2021, he became a Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Irena Tsakova
Executive Director
DPM Krumovgrad

Irena Tsakova is a passionate professional and an inspiring leader. Her two Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering and in Environmental Monitoring, Control and Health built a solid engineering basis that complements her personal qualities of empathy, interpersonal skills and intuitive diplomacy. Having started in the Chelopech mine in 1999 as a laboratory technician, Irena continued to develop professionally to become Environmental manager, Director HSE and Community Relations, Operations Director and Director, Permitting and Legal. She was recognized as one of the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining in 2015.

In April 2024, she assumed the role of General Manager, Ada Tepe becoming the first woman on this position in DPM Metals and the Bulgarian mining industry.

Vera Economou
CEE Head Sustainable Finance
ING Bank, online

Vera Economou serves as the CEE Regional Lead for the Sustainable Solutions Group within Wholesale Banking at ING. In this role, she drives the execution of ING’s EMEA sustainable finance strategy across Central and Eastern Europe, spearheads sustainable business initiatives, and leads the origination and structuring of sustainable finance solutions that support clients in achieving their decarbonization goals. 

She is an active member of the Sustainability Advisory Board of the Qorus Sustainability & Regulation Committee and regularly shares her expertise as a guest lecturer in Global Sustainability Management and CEMS Programs at the Vienna University of Economics and Business. 

Ms. Economou has over 15 years of experience in the Austrian banking sector—including six years dedicated to sustainable finance—and four years as a management consultant in Hong Kong. 

Petyo Ivanov
CEO
NPP Kozloduy New Build Plc, invited

Moderator: Emil Bozhkov
Group Operational Director
Moto-Pfohe

Emil joined Moto-Pfohe in 2007 and currently is responsible for all four companies in the company group – distributor, dealer, leasing company and insurance brokerage. The main domain of his expertise is finance, budgeting and planning, treasury, accounting, legal and HR. Operationally he is close to all parts of the business but especially the Fleet and wholesales, Rent-a-car and Used car operations. Before becoming the group operational director in 2019, Emil was CFO of the group (a role that he still has), Head of Business planning and group financial controller.

Emil’s education is Business Administration with a degree from Sofia University and MBA from New Bulgarian University. He is an active member of the Sustainability Committee of AmCham.

Key Topics:

• Sustainability as a strategic driver of resilience and growth
• Security considerations: regional stability and cyber security
• Talent development and skills for the digital era
• Energy – regional development and transition

6:15 – 6:30 p.m. – Closing Session

Ivan Mihaylov, CEO, American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria

Marjorie A. Chorlins
Senior Vice President for Europe
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, video message

Marjorie Chorlins leads the U.S. Chamber’s policy and regulatory advocacy related to trade and investment across Europe, the UK, and Ukraine. She helps companies of all sizes and sectors increase sales, mitigate risk, and tackle problems that inhibit trade and investment. 

With decades of experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, Chorlins has focused on forging consensus among competing points of view.  In prior roles, she advised a pro-trade advocate on Capitol Hill (Sen. John Danforth R-MO-Ret); represented the US government in multilateral trade negotiations (Department of Commerce); advocated in support of global sales (Motorola, Lockheed Martin); and consulted with multinational corporations on corporate responsibility (Business for Social Responsibility).  

She holds an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. from Wellesley College. 

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Networking Reception

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Distinguished Speakers: U.S. and Bulgarian senior officials, business leaders, global strategists
• Curated Agenda: Impactful keynote sessions and focused panel discussions
• Networking: Exclusive cocktail reception facilitating meaningful engagement

Important

• Invitation-only event

Anniversary Partners & Diamond Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Partnership Opportunities

Our preparations for the Vision 2050 event are still underway. If you’d like to support our efforts, please contact Nadezhda Vakareeva (nadia@amcham.bg) and Tatyana Vladimirova (tatyana@amcham.bg) to discuss the available options.